Commissioners approve 2013 budget

Changes in the Otero County Budget for 2013 were precipitated by two events: the large insurance settlement for the repair of the Otero County Courthouse and annex roofs and the settlement of the abatement dispute on the former pickle factory taxes, resulting in a large payment by the county assessor in abatement of taxes paid.

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By Bette McFarren

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Bette McFarren

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 7:00 PM

By Bette McFarren

Posted Dec. 12, 2012 at 7:00 PM

Changes in the Otero County Budget for 2013 were precipitated by two events: the large insurance settlement for the repair of the Otero County Courthouse and annex roofs and the settlement of the abatement dispute on the former pickle factory taxes, resulting in a large payment by the county assessor in abatement of taxes paid.

The final assessed valuation for the county is $126,108,895. This represents a $1,045,525 (.82 percent) increase over FY 2012. The county will increase the mill levy to 22.324 with an additional .3758 mills generated from recovery of taxes abated and refunded as of Aug. 1, 2012. This increase is a temporary increase based on the loss of $47,375 in abated and/or refunded taxes.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs calculation of the 5.5 percent limitation resulted in a limit of 23.032, but the county is taking the lowest limit of 22.324.

This increase is for one year only.

The insurance loss will be covered by transferring .25 of the Social Services fund of 3.250 to the Insurance Fund, which, added to its .500 of last year, makes its mill levy distribution .750 mills.

2. Health insurance contributions will increase by five percent within departments and by employees.

3. A cost of living adjustment of $50 per employee per month will be given to employees beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

Human Services

Director Donna Rohde of the Department of Human Services announced that Dee Quick, the new head of the Area Agency on Aging, has applied for and will receive a $5,000 grant from the Anschutz Foundation to reimburse drivers who take individuals over 55 to medical appointments in other cities at the rate of $.39 per mile. Since more individuals are now requiring transportation, more drivers are needed. To apply to be a driver, see the Department of Human Services AAA with proof of insurance, driver’s license and application. Drivers are needed for Crowley County as well as Otero County.

The Department of Human Services has been recognized by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Colorado Department of Human services for exemplary processing time, 95 percent for Medicaid and 98 percent for Human Services.

“They are doing an excellent job of getting aid to folks as quickly as possible,” said Rohde. Applications are up and the process is lengthy.

Rohde also brought the contract for services of the Tri-County Family Care Center to the commissioners for approval. The center has been of great help to the Department of Human Services. The commissioners approved the contract.

Page 2 of 2 - Public Works

Public Works Director Brent White reported the sale of a right of way through county property for the Front Range Pipeline Project for $2,248.50.

The pipeline project is following the route of the existing Phillips pipeline, and a 50 foot permanent easement and 40 foot construction easement which would disturb .7 of an acre of county land was involved.

In other business, on Dec. 13 the commissioners and White will be meeting with the Colorado Department of Transportation concerning rumors of allocations by the state for maintenance of state highways being cut. Under the situation feared, U.S. Highway 50 would be the only road in the county eligible for maintenance allocations from the state.

SAGE

Jim Baldwin announced that SAGE is adding an extra day of service for sites which do not have a kitchen. They are now operating in the black and will continue to restore services a little at a time, making sure they can continue to operate in the black. SAGE is the provider for Meals on Wheels.

Exchange student

Toby Koecher, a 19-year-old exchange student from Germany who is studying government, was introduced at the meeting. Koecher, having passed his exams at Otero Junior College, will be dividing his time between the city of La Junta and Otero County for his internship. He is one of 75 young Germans and Americans who have changed places for this year of study in each other’s countries. Koecher is training to be an administrative clerk in local government.